Senate file would allow Northern Arapaho Tribe to hunt eagles

The State Senate gave second approval to a bill that would allow the Northern Arapaho Tribe to kill golden eagles for tribal ceremonies as long as it is done in compliance with federal law.

Senator Cale Case explained that the ceremonial killing of a golden eagle is part of sacred Northern Arapaho tradition, but the Eastern Shoshone tribe – which shares the Wind River Indian Reservation – opposes the killing of eagles on their common land. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued the Northern Arapaho a permit to take two eagles per year outside the reservation, but killing any eagles is currently a high misdemeanor in Wyoming.

Case says this bill could break the stalemate for the tribes.

“I believe that’s a good thing," Says Case, adding that it "respects their religion. It’s not an endangered creature.”